August 14, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Farms & Markets
There truly is nothing like a day under the pines, in the fresh air with you family. Even when you live on a farm, it’s a nice break to go berry picking along a quiet country road. I had the chance to do just that on one of my recent days off.
It was the first time that I ever picked huckleberries on Puggins Mountain. For years I’ve heard about how wonderful huckleberries are, bigger then blueberries and easier to pick because they grow on slightly higher bushes. People talk about filling 5 gallon pails in no time at all. That said, you must keep in mind that we are experiencing another drought this year in the Peace, so the berries weren’t as big and plentiful as they might have been.
Although it does take time to clean the berries, the huckleberry pies, muffins, cheesecakes, and summer memories make the effort worthwhile.
August 04, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Farms & Markets
View a larger image on flickr.com
Ask anyone who lives in Saskatoon Berry country and they'll tell you they have a favorite spot to pick.
Saskatoons are big, blueberry-like berries that grow on bushes along side the many country lanes here in the Peace River Country. They grow in clusters like grapes and are absolutely delicious and very plentiful.
Mine favorite spot north of town is way off the beaten path and I can only reach it if the roads are dry.
The Saskatoon Bushes are twice as tall as I am with berries the size of small cherries. Of course, the size of the berries also depends on the amount of rain we've had, but I have a great spot regardless.
Being a serious picker I go equipped with a great system. A small bucket attached to a belt at my waist for hands free picking and several bigger buckets to empty my full one into. I like to keep the bigger buckets in a cooler in the trunk of my vehicle.
I also take lots of water, my camera, binoculars (my spot has a fantastic view of a valley), some mosquito spray and hand wipes for very sticky hands.
The berries are ready and I had my first picking. Someone else likes my spot and this year they got there before me. I'm ok with that because not only is there more than enough berries, but they made trails through the underbrush.
So, if you are here in Saskatoon Berry season, grab your buckets and your belt and head out of town on any country road. Look for tall dark bushes in the ditches. If you look closely, you can often make out the purple berries.
Saskatoon pie? Mmmmm...
August 01, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Farms & Markets
View a larger image on flickr.com
Ask anyone who lives in Saskatoon Berry country and they'll tell you they have a favorite spot to pick.
Saskatoons are big, blueberry-like berries that grow on bushes along side the many country lanes here in the Peace River Country. They grow in clusters like grapes and are absolutely delicious and very plentiful.
Mine favorite spot north of town is way off the beaten path and I can only reach it if the roads are dry.
The Saskatoon Bushes are twice as tall as I am with berries the size of small cherries. Of course, the size of the berries also depends on the amount of rain we've had, but I have a great spot regardless.
Being a serious picker I go equipped with a great system. A small bucket attached to a belt at my waist for hands free picking and several bigger buckets to empty my full one into. I like to keep the bigger buckets in a cooler in the trunk of my vehicle.
I also take lots of water, my camera, binoculars (my spot has a fantastic view of a valley), some mosquito spray and hand wipes for very sticky hands.
The berries are ready and I had my first picking. Someone else likes my spot and this year they got there before me. I'm ok with that because not only is there more than enough berries, but they made trails through the underbrush.
So, if you are here in Saskatoon Berry season, grab your buckets and your belt and head out of town on any country road. Look for tall dark bushes in the ditches. If you look closely, you can often make out the purple berries.
Saskatoon pie? Mmmmm...